Sony shows off PlayStation 4 controller

Several mockup prototypes of forthcoming system's wireless controller turned up at the Game Developer Conference.

SAN FRANCISCO—Sony offered a glimpse of a prototype of the controller for its forthcoming PlayStation 4 gaming console at the Game Developer Conference here last week.

Chis Norden, a senior staff engineer at Sony, showed off the controller and talked about its development in a scheduled presentation at GDC. Norden did not provide many more technical details than had previously been revealed when Sony announced the PS4 last month. Nor did he show a prototype of the console itself.

Of course, the big news from the PS4 launch last month was that Sony is ditching the infamous CELL processor and using an X86 CPU designed by Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

The design of the wireless controller for PlayStation 4 is similar to that used in its predecessor, the PlayStation 3. From a hardware perspective, the biggest change is the inclusion of a much more sensitive six-axis sensor gyroscope, said Aram Jabbari, a spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEA).

The more sensitive sensor will give game developers "carte blanche to do motion," Jabbari said.

The PS4 controller features a new "share" button to allow gamers to more easily share highlights of their triumphs via Facebook.

While Jabbari said the prototype PS4 controller is subject to possible changes before it hits store shelves, the design is largely locked down. Jabbari said SCEA is now "showing the possibilities of what could be done" with extra motion sensitivity.

Another major change from the PS3 controller is that the PS4 prototype has a touch pad located on the front, offering gamers new ways to play and interact with games. Interactive gaming is a concept that Sony is pushing heavily with the new console launch.

I don't understand the point of the light bar to be honest. If it's to be used for additional info, whilst I'm playing I'm looking at the screen not the controller! Also, from the looks of the pictures, you can't see the lightbar when holding the controller as if you are playing.

The headset jack may seem redundancy since I'm sure a lot of gamers are using wireless headset. To me, I think it is brilliant. It will become handy if the battery life of the controller is managed properly. The internal speaker is another excellent feature.
I wonder whether PS Vita or next generation PSP can be used as a controller for PS4 just like PSP with PS3. There are a lot of touch capability on PS Vita. I am sure it will open up a lot of in-game feature.